Corn-husker.



PATENTED MAY 29, 1906.

R. G. RATE.

CORN HUSKER.

APPLIOATION-PILED 001". e, 1905.

, 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

ANDREW. a. GRAHAM c0. Pnoru-umonmvuzws. wmwmomu, o c.

No. 821,962. PATENTED MAY 29, 1906.

R. G. RATE.

CORN HUSKER.

APPLICATION FILED OGT.,6. 1905, I

3 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

lhlnwmmu.

No. 821,962. PATENTED MAY 29, 1906.

R. G. RATE.

' 001m HUSKER.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIGE.

CORN-HUSKER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

ICEWGIIDBCL May 29, 1906.

Application filed October 6, 1905. Serial No 281,664-

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ROBERT G. RATE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Iowa City, in the county of Johnson and State of Iowa, haveinvented a new and useful Corn- Husker, of which the following is aspecification.

The present invention relates to improvements in that class of deviceswhich are secured to the hand and are employed for stripping the husksfrom corn.

Experience has shown that different operators have distinctly differentideas as to the most satisfactory position of the husk-engaging hookwith respect to the hand, and while these hooks have been madeadjustable on their attaching and supporting means heretofore so far asI am aware the range of adjustment has been limited and no glove hasbeen suited in this respect to all classes of workmen. Therefore theprimary object in the present case has been to provide a novel andcomparatively simple husker having a husk-engaging device that can beadjusted and held in a great variety of positions with respect to thehand to which such husker is applied, and thus can be placed in aposition considered desirable and suitable by practically any operator.Moreover, the adjustment can be obtained with ease and expedition.

Several difierent embodiments of the invention are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and described in the following specification. Aninspection of the claims will show, however, that the invention is notlimited to the exact structure herein set forth, but is open to otherchanges and modifications.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view of a hand, showing one embodment ofthe invention in place thereon. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional viewthrough such embodiment. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View. Fig. 4 is adetail view of the base-plate employed. Fig. 5 is a detail perspectiveview of the husk-engaging hook. Fig. 6 is a similar view of theholding-plate. Fig. 7 is a plan view of a slightly-modified formofconstruction. Fig.

8 is a detail view of the base-plate thereof.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the hook. Fig. 10 is a plan view ofstill another modification. Fig. 11 is a longitudinal sectional viewtherethrough. Fig. 12 is a plan view of the baseplate. Fig. 13 is a planview of a form of baseplate that is a slight modification of thatdisclosed in Fig. 8. Fig. 14 is a plan view of another modification ofthe invention. Fig. 15 is a sectional view therethrough on the line 1515. Fig. 16 is a plan view of still another form of the invention. Fig.17 is a detail sectional view on the line 17 17 of Fig. 16. Fig. 18 is adetail perspective view of the holding-plate employed in the structureshown in Fig. 16. Fig. 19 is a perspective view of another modified formof structure. Fig. 20 is still another modification. Fig. 21 is asectional view on the line 21 21 of Fig. 20.

Similar reference-numerals designate corresponding parts in all thefigures of the drawings.

Referring first to the embodiment illustrated in the first six figures,the husker consists of a base-plate 13, a husk-engaging device 14, and aholding device 15, together with suitable straps 16 and 17 for holdingthe same in place upon a hand. The base-plate 13 is formed of sheetmetal that is bent to properly conform to the configuration of the palmof the hand contiguous to the wrist, and to its opposite ends aresecured the wriststrap 16 and the palm-strap 17. The said base-plate isprovided with a diagonally-disposed slot 18, along one side of which islocated a similarly-disposed series of sockets 19, these sockets and theslot being located at the end carrying the wrist-strap 16.

The husk-engaging device is in the form of a hook having a shank 20,that rests upon the base 13 and is provided near one end with apivot-receiving opening 21, alined with the slot 1.8, while its otherend is bent to form an outstanding nib having spaced pointed bills 22,two being shown, though more maybe employed, if desired. Located uponthe base and covering a portion of the shank 20 of the hook is theholding-plate 15, having an opening 23, alined with the opening 21 andbeing, furthermore, provided in one edge with a curved series of teeth24, forming between them a plurality of sockets 25. The shank 20 has anupstanding tooth 26, struck integrally from said shank and bein arrangedto interfit with the teeth 24or, in other words, engage in the sockets25. A tooth 27, carried by the plate 15, is arranged to engage in thesockets 19. The three elements thus described are held together by apivot-bolt 28,

that passes through the slot 18 and the openings 21 and 23, said bolthaving a nut 29,

threaded on its outer end and bearing upon the plate 15.

The structure is applied to the hand in the ordinary manner, asillustrated in Fig. 1, and the hook has a wide range of adjustment uponthe base-plate. This will be clearly evident when it is considered thatthe hook has a swinging movement on the pivot-bolt and can be held in avariety of positions with respect to the holding-plate 15, as the tooth26 of said hook is adapted to engage in any of the sockets 25 of theholding-plate. Then, again, the pivot of the hook is adjustable upon theplate because of its engagement in the slot 18 thereof, so that the axisof swingin movement of the hook can be changed to di erent positions asdesired. Finally, the holding-plate itself is adjustable, as will beapparent, so that no matter what position the pivot-bolt may be placedin the hook is still capable of adjustment on the pivot and can be heldin the different positions. It will therefore be clear that thehusk-engagin device can be adjusted bodily toward and om the thumb ofthe operator and can be locked in practically any position desired withrespect thereto.

A slightly-different form of construction is illustrated in Figs. 7, 8,and 9. The baseplate is designated by the reference numeral 13*, thehusk-engaging device by 14, and the holding-plate by 15. The base-platein this instance is secured to a pad-lining 16, to which are secured thewrist and palm straps 17 and 18. In this embodiment the baseplate isprovided with a series of diagonallydisposed pivot-openings 19 and witha parallel series of sockets 20. The husk-engaging device is in the formof a hook having a shank 21, provided with a single bill 22 and anopening 23 that can be alined with any of the openings 19. Theholding-plate 15 has a series of teeth 24;, forming sockets 25 in whichthe tooth 26 of the shank engages. The holding-plate 15, furthermore,has a tooth 27, that is arranged to engage in any of the sockets 20. Apivot-bolt 28 passes through the openings in the plate 15* and shank 21and is adapted to pass through any of the openings 19 It will be evidentthat this embodiment of the invention has all the advantages of thatabove set forth with the one exception that a single bill is employedinstead of a plurality of the same.

Still another embodiment is shown in Figs. 10, 11, and 12. In thisstructure a baseplate 13 is employed, together with a huskengagingdevice 14 and a holding-plate 15 The plate 13 is secured to straps 16and is provided in one end with a series of pivotre' ceiving openings 17and sockets 18 The husk-engaging device'14 comprises a hook having ashank 1 9 provided with an upstandin Figs. 16, 17, and 18.

ing tooth 20 The holding-plate 15 has a marginal series of sockets 21formed between teeth 22', said sockets being arranged to receive thetooth 20 The parts are held together by a pivot-bolt 23, passingtherethrough and through any of the openings 17 The plate 15 has a tooth24*, that engages in the sockets 18 and holds said plate against pivotalmovement. In this structure also it will be seen that the hook has thesame wide range of adjustment and that, therefore, thesame advantageousfeatures are present as in the foregoing embodiment.

In case it is desired to have the holdingplate and pivot not adjustablethe base-plate 13 (illustrated in Fig. 13) may be employed, said platehaving a single pivot-receiving opening 19 and a single socket 20 thatrecpives the usual holding-tooth of the holdingp ate.

A slight modification over what is shown in the first siX figures isdisclosed in Figs. 14 and 15. The base-plate is designated 13 and may beof the usual formation. The husk-engaging hook is shown at 14 a portionof the free end thereof being broken away. The holding-plate isillustrated at 15 and overlies the hook, the three elements beingsecured together by the usual pivotbolt 16. One edge of theholding-plate is provided with a series of teeth 17 forming sockets 18between them, and a tooth 19, carried by the hook, is arranged to engagein the sockets. By referring to Fig. 15 it will be observed that thetooth 19 is in the form of a headed stud removably passed through anopening in the hook-shank, the head being interposed between the shankand base-plate and the outer end of the stud engaging between the teeth17.

Another type of the invention is disclosed The base-plate 13 is of theusual formation, and located thereupon is a hook 14", the shank of whichis provided With one or more openings 15*. A holdingplate 16 overliesthe shank and is held in place by a pivotbolt 17 passing through thesame, through the hook, and through the base-plate. The edge of theholding-plate is provided with a series of inwardly-turned teeth 18 andthese teeth are arranged to engage in the openings 15 of the hook-shank,thus securely holding the hook in different positions. I

In Fig. 19 there is disclosed still another modification. The base-plate13 is provided With an outstanding tooth 14 and the hook 15 also has atooth 16. The holding-plate 17 is secured in place by the pivot-bolt 18and is provided at its edges with different sets of teeth 19 and 20, theformer adjustably interlocking with the tooth 16 of the hook, the latteradjustably interlocking with the tooth 14 of the base-plate. The saidholding-plate is thus adjustably held in place upon the base-plate, andthe husk-engaging hook is adjustably engaged with the holdinglate.

p Another form of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 20 and 21,wherein the baseplate is shown at 13 and is provided with upstandingteeth 14 A huskengaging hook 15 has a tooth 16 that cooperates with theusual teeth 17 of the holding-plate 18 This plate 18 is, furthermore,pro vided with sockets 19 that receive the teeth 14 of the baseplate,which teeth thus pre vent the movement of the holding-plate upon thebaseplate.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction, operation, andmany advantages of the herein-described invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art with out further description, and it will beunderstood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion, andminor details of construc tion may be resorted to without departing fromthe spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a corn-husker, the combination with a base, of a husk-engagingdevice pivotally mounted thereon, and a device for holding thehusk-engaging device against swinging movement, said husk-engagingdevice being movable to different positions with respect to the holdingdevice and having an adjustable interfltting engagement with saidholding device for maintaining the husk-engaging device in saiddifferent positions.

2. In a corn husker, the combination with a base, of a husk-engagingdevice movably mounted thereon, and a device for holding the huskingdevice against movement, one of said devices having a plurality ofteeth, the other having a portion that adjustably interlocks with theteeth.

3. In a corn-husker, the combination with a base, of a husk-engagindevice movably mounted thereon, and a device for holding the huskingdevice against movement, one of said devices having a plurality ofsockets, the other having a tooth that engages in the sockets to holdthe huskengaging device in different positions upon the base.

4. In a corn-husker, the combination with a base, of a husk-engagindevice pivotally mounted thereon, and a evice for holding thehusk-engaging device against its pivotal movement, one of said deviceshaving a circular series of teeth, forming sockets between them, theother having a tooth that is arrangled to engage in said sockets betweenthe teet 5. Ina corn-husker, the combination with a base, of ahusk-engaging device pivotally mounted thereon, a holding device securedagainst movement on thebase, a plurality of sockets formed in theholding-device, and a tooth carried by the husk-engaging device andarranged to engage in the sockets.

6. In a corn-husker, the combination with a base-plate, of ahusk-engaging hook located thereon, a holding-plate overlying a portionof the hook and having an interlocking engagement with the baseplate, abolt connecting the base-plate, the hook, and holdingplate, said.holding-plate having a plurality of sockets, and an outstanding toothcarried by the hook and adjustably engaging in the sockets.

7. In a corn-husker, the combination with a base, of a husk-engagingdevice adjustably mounted thereon, a holding device for thehusk-engaging device also adjustable on the base, said devices beingfurthermore adjustable with respect to each other, and a pivotbolt forthe husk-engaging device, said bolt also constituting means for securingthe holding device to the base and being adjustable on said base.

8. In a corn-husker, the combination with a base, of a husk-engagingdevice adjustable thereon, 'a pivot for the husk-engaging device, aholding device, interlocking means for securing the devices againstrelative movement, and other means interlocking the base and holdingdevice for maintaining the same against relative movement.

9. In a corn-husker, the combination with a base, of a husk-engagingdevice adjustable thereon, a holding device for the husk-engaging deviceadjustable with respect to the base and with respect to saidhusk-engaging device, a pivot-bolt for the huskengaging device, saidbolt also constituting means for securing the holding device to thebase, and means interlocking the base and holding device for maintainingthe same against relative movement.

10. In a corn-husker, the combination with a base, of a husk-engagingdevice adjustably mounted thereon, a holding device for thehusk-engaging device, said holding device being adjustable with respectto the base and with respect to the husk-engaging device, a pivot forthe husk-engaging device, said pivot also constituting means forsecuring the husk-engaging device to the base and being adjustable onsaid base, and means interlocking the base and holding device formaintaining the same against relative movement, said latter means beingalso adjustable to permit the holding device being secured in differentpositions on the base.

1 1. In a corn-husker, the combination with a base-plate having aplurality of sockets, of a husk-engaging hook having a shank that bearsupon the base-plate, a holding-plate fitted over the shank of the hookand having a plurality of sockets, an upstanding tooth carried by theshank and being arranged to engage in the sockets, a pivot andholdingbolt passing through the holding-plate, the shank, and the base,and being adjustable to different positions in said base, and aholdingtooth for the holding-plate, said tooth engage ing in thedifferent sockets in the base.

12. In a corn-husker, the combination with a base, of a husk-engaginghook adjustable thereon, a holding device for the hook having oneportion interlocked therewith, and another portion that interlocks withdifferent parts of the base and a holding-bolt for the device engagingsaid device and the base and being adjustable to differentpositions inthe latter.

13. In a corn-husker, the combination with a base, of a husk-engagingdevice mounted on the base, and a holding device also connected to thebase, said husk-engaging and holding devices being rovided, one with aseries of sockets, the ot er with a tooth portion that is received inthe different sockets to hold the husk-engaging device in differentrelations upon the base.

14. In a corn-husker, the combination with a base, of a husk-engagingdevice mounted on the base, and a holding device also connected to thebase, said holding device having a series of teeth and the husk-engagingdevice having a portion that interfits therewith to hold saidhusk-engaging device in different relations upon the base.

15. In a corn-husker, the combination with a base, of a husk-engagingdevice mounted upon the base, and a holding device comprising a plateoverlying the husk-engaging device, said husk-engaging device being adjustable to different positions with respect to the holding device andhaving an adjustable interfitting engagement therewith to hold saidhusk-engaging device in different relations upon the base and indifferent positions with respect to the holding device. v

16. In a corn-husker, the combination with a base, of a husk-engagingdevice mounted upon the base, and a holding device comprising a plateoverlying the husk-engaging device and havin a plurality of teeth at oneedge that interff with a portion of the huskengaging device to hold thesame in diflerent relations upon the base.

17 In a corn-husker, the combination with a base, of a husk-engagingdevice mounted thereon, a holdinglate having one portion adjustablyinterloc ed with the device and another portion interlocked with thebase, and means for securing the base, the device and the platetogether.

18. In a corn-husker, the combination with a base, of a husk-engagingdevice mounted thereon, a holding-plate having teeth on one portion thatadjustably interlock with the device and a tooth on another portion thatinterfits with the base, and a pivot-bolt securing the base, thehusk-engaging device and the plate together, said device swinging uponthe bolt.

19. In a corn-husker, the combination with a base, of a husk-engagingdevice, a holding device for the husk-engaging device, saidhusk-engaging device being adjustable with respect to the base and theholding device and having an adjustable engagement with the latter, andmeans connecting the base, the husk-engaging device and the holdingdevice to secure the same against relative movement.

20. In a corn-husker, the combination with a base, of a husk-engaginghook, a holdingplate overlying the hook and having an engagement withthe base at one side of the same, said hook and plate having anadjustable interlocking engagement with each other, and a pivot-boltconnecting the base, the hook, and the plate to secure the same againstrelative movement.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing-as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT G. RATE.

Witnesses FRED FRY, HARRY FRY.

